THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who gave me cards, food, gifts, gift certificates, and most of all the very kind notes. Many of the notes thanked me for driving the long distance to teach at "our small school." Actually, I am thankful for the experience of teaching at a wonderful school, supported by such giving parents and grandparents. What makes Good Shepherd such an outstanding school is Fr. Dennis, Dr. B., the teachers, the students, and especially the parents and families of the students. The countless hours by the volunteers is the heartbeat of this Body of Chirst.

I consider my trek to Hillsboro every morning a blessing. One old-time baseball player remarked that "if you love your job, you will never work a day in your life." Since August 1, 2007, I have not worked one day at Good Shepherd.

God willing, I hope to be with this wonderful faith community for a long time. Thanks again!

What Do We Give To Jesus At Christmas?

"In our service of love to the poor, we are called to give them what they need today. Today someone is hungry or thirsty; today someone is naked or homeless; today someone is sick or dying. Today someone is in need of warmth of a human hand, or in need of a human voice. It must be given today. We must love today. Tomorrow it may be too late." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Geography-Inclass project for a test grade.

Early dismissal on Wednesday. NO AFTERCARE!

Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe

Report cards go home this Thursday, December 13. There were many students whose grades dropped from the previous quarter. Two reasons: failure to turn in homework and behavior.

There are now homework boards where students may check to see if they have homework missing. The boards list the names by classes and those who check will scan to the homework line. There are no grades posted. An X appears if the homework is in and a blank space, if there is homework due.

Gift Wrapping By Seventh and Eighth GradesThis Saturday, December 15 is the date for our gift wrap project. The money will go towards the 8th grade trip.

December 19 Dismissal @ 11:00 am: No aftercare!

7th & 8th grade Science work has been returnedEveryone has received his or her Science work back (with exception of 3). Most did a good job. Some waited until the very end and the resulting grade reflects the quick work.

New Quarter Begins

Students start the quarter with a day off! Report cards go out this Thursday, December 13.

It is always a good time to remind the students that getting in their homework is a key. Too often the same students either hand-in the homework late or not at all. Especially at the junior high level, the students must take more responsibility.

Geography Bee will begin this week. Fourth through eighth grades will begin the preliminary competition, resulting in 10 students (or so) competing in front of the school in early January. This is part of the National Geographic Competition.

Seventh & Eighth grade parents: 4 students did not turn in their Science work. Only one came to me ahead of time. This will result in an Incomplete on the report card and a loss of a grade (with exception of the one student).

Each student has a student whom they will make a Christmas card for.

Quarter Ending

Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offense. -Robert Frost

This Friday, December 7 marks the end of the second quarter. The students, at least some of them, are in the midst of trying to catch up on missing work.

Today, all classes are having Math tests with an additional twist: They may not ask me for help. A review was held for each class, and, as usual, those in most need of review were not paying attention. The test grade is weighed very heavily in the grading structure.

In 7th & 8th grades we will begin a new chapter in Social Studies, chapter 8.

The 5th & 6th grades will be finishing chapter 19 this week with a test soon after, possibly this Friday, December 7.

5th & 6th grade Science will be finishing chapter 2. There will not be a test for those who complete the solid, liquid, gas work and complete an activity (experiment). Chapter 3, though, will eventually have a test. This begins elements and the periodic table. Encourage your son or daughter to present a simple experiment, which provides them with a test-equivalent grade.

Thursday, December 6

8th Math: Both grades (7/8) were given algebraic equations. Also, Math Challenge
7th Math: Submission of these sheets are extra credit or homework replacement.


8th & 7th Social Studies: Will start documentaries on the Founders of the country. Students are expected to take notes and will be tested on their notes.

6th & 5th grade Math: They, also, will receive work to count as missing homework or raise grades.

Science (6/5): Worksheet. We will begin chapter on elements next week.


Geography: We will have several worksheets to complete in class to finish chapter on SubSahara Africa.

Welcome Back!

Even though it is always a somber day when returning from a small vacation, the students don't have to wait long. Christmas is only a month away. Most would agree that Jesus is the missing variable from Christmas. How many people know what the word Christmas means, or maybe how many care?

Please keep in mind our food collection drive, pennies for people, and the Christmas tree giving.

Remember, the quarter is fading quickly. This Thursday, November 29 the students will have Reconciliation available. Next Monday, December 3 is a half day because of a teachers' meeting.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Math:
8th, 7th, 6th, & 5th grades- a handout was to be completed in class. Each grade has a different sheet reinforcing previous lessons.

Most students who did poorly on the Math tests have completed the extra worksheet so that their grades may be boosted to a 'C'. A few have not bothered and the test grade stands.

Social Studies, Geography, and Science (5/6th grades)
Classes will begin new chapters on return from Thanksgiving break. There is only 2 weeks remaining to the close of the second quarter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice." -Meister Eckhart

The Food Collection will continue. Any food that will not spoil may be donated. Collection boxes remain in each classroom.

Quarter's End Coming Soon

"He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." Ps. 23:2-3

December 7 is an important date, aside from Pearl Harbor, for the students. This is the end of the quarter and with the holidays approaching, this date will be upon us very soon.

The concern is usually with homework. The same students come up frequently to inquire about what he or she is missing. The following week, the same student will ask again and the same work is still missing.

Using the assignment notebook is important, but many students do not want to take the time to write important information down. As the 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th graders approach high school, they need to discipline themselves in this regard.

For those parents with 7th or 8th graders, you may want to ask about your students progress. A few are in some trouble because they have not kept up with the book they chose to work on.

MANY TESTS AWAIT THEM

Tests this Friday (11-16)

Geography Test, chapter 18 for 5/6th grades

Social Studies, chapter 6 for 7/8th grades delayed until Friday

Friday: Math test for all grades

Reviews the day before each test

Pennies For People

Outside the school office is a jar that students and teachers may use to contribute money for "Pennies For People." The money will be donated to Birthright, an organization dedicated to helping at risk mothers. Please encourage your sons or daughters to put something in when he/she can. We are a people of Life! Part of this responsibility is to walk the talk.

Many women who are pregnant and in turmoil over the pregnancy have large and well-funded organizations only to willing to encourage abortion. Our tax dollars go to these groups (to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars) who encourage abortion as the best option when a woman is pregnant. The pro-life organizations, on the other hand, receive no benefits from the government. Your pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters do matter. Please Help!

High School Deadline

The application deadline for high schools is November 12.

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."- Carl Sandburg

The progress reports will come out this week. Parents and students should be aware that missing homework and behavior can have a devasting impact on grades. The expectation of, especially, sixth through eighth grades is that the student will take much more responsibility of his or her homework. This inlcudes writing down work to be done at home, if not completed at school.

An interesting note, in fifth and sixth grade math, we will use a team approach during classwork. Several sixth grade students will serve as team captains and two fifth grade students will assist. When work is assigned and there is time in class, these students will assist where necessary (including reminders about placing homework information in the student assignment books). Obviously, I will be there to help, but the presence of peers to help does work. Many times I cannot help those asking for assistance in a timely manner (i.e., there may be five needing help at the same time), so having students provide some direction will allow the students to proceed through the work much quicker.

A NEW STATUE OF THE BLESSED MOTHER

A new statue, Our Lady of Grace, sets on a pedestal in the school basement. The students say the rosary each morning downstairs (at least during the fall and winter months), and now have an image of Our Lady to look at. I plan to supplement the area with some flowers (silk, etc.) and appropriate vases.

"THE CRUCIBLE"

The seventh and eighth grades will be attending St. Pius' performance of this Arthur Miller play this Friday, November 9. We will be gone from about 8:30 am until noon.

HOME AND SCHOOL MEETING

Monday, November 5 at 7 pm is the bi-monthly meeting for Home and School. I hope to see you there. If you do attend, please ask me about your son or daughter's homework submission.

YouTube

Are you familiar with YouTube? I was not until very recently. I cannot vouch for all that is on this Internet site, but several pieces recommended to me are great. This blog will, hopefully, have a link to a couple of the videos. The three religious ones viewed were very inspiring. Please do not overlook the two Catholic websites I have included at the bottom of the blog. If you want sound Catholic information, these two sites provide it.

INTERESTED IN STUDENT CONTESTS?

CONTESTS AND AWARDS!

There are two contest packets, which you may be interested in for your son or daughter, included in the Thursday folders. The first is a Science Contest sponsored by ExploraVision with some substantial prizes. This contest offers four $10,000 awards for first prize. If you are interested, connect to the link provided.

The second contest is for the writers and artists among the kids. Holy Cross Ministries sponsors this contest for artists, poets, and prose writers. This contest has as its theme, "Try Prayer! It Works!" Information sheets are also included in the folders.

November 2007

Math was my worst subject because I could never persuade the teacher that my answers were meant ironically.
-Calvin Trillin

October 2007

Please remember to have your son or daughter bring in canned goods for the food drive.

The 5th & 6th graders are working on periodic worksheets within a chapter in their Science books. If the students also completes an activity (mini experiment) he or she can opt out of the next test.

During the rest of the year and the first quarter of 2008, our daily rosary will take place in the hallway downstairs. I have purchased some inexpensive rosaries for the students to use. These will be available for anyone not bringing a rosary.

The 7th and 8th grade parents, the students have personally made a selection on a Science textbook he/she has an interest in. Each student will receive a personalized syllabus so that he/she knows exactly what is expected from them. I can always provide additional copies of the syllabus at your request. This schedule can also be sent via e-mail.

Congratulations to the students who made first quarter honors: Maggie Brown (8); Maggie Flurry (7); Jacob Eimer (8); Kate Stefan (8); Emily Stefan (7); Seth Koch (7); Anna Eidel (6); Tabitha Heinzer (6); Samantha Heinzer (6); Mary Smreker-Bruce (6); Claire Reed (6); Cailin Whitehead (6); Kelley Conway (5); Ashley Polittte (5); Alex Hand (6); Alex Thrasher (6); Liz Flurry (5); and Adrian Ziegler (5).

If you have any questions or concerns, you may e-mail me at teacher_charity@yahoo.com Thank you.